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Shoshone Tribe Chief

The Shoshones lived many years through their hunting skills. Before they were acquired horses, they ate roots, seeds, nuts, insects, and small animals such as birds, groundhogs, jackrabbits, and salmon. When the Shoshone tribes finally gained horses, they were able to hunt bigger prey. They hunted elk, buffalo, deer, antelopes, mountain sheep and bears. The Shoshone men used the bow and arrow, and spears to hunt. The fishermen used baskets and nets. In times of war, they used war clubs and buffalo hide shields to fight.

The Shoshone Indians fought with the the Plain Indian tribes such as the Blackfeet, Cheyenne, and Lakota tribes. They did not fight for territory, but rather to prove to each other their courage and strength. They interacted with their neighboring tribes such as the Crow and Nez Perce, but they mostly associated with the Paiute Indians and it was normal for them to intermarry with them.